I've really been dropping the ball on following new releases... Only ones I can immediately think of are Transcendence and Meshuggah's "The Violent Sleep of Reason", as I've been pretty much blown away by both of them.

The most authentic thing about us is our capacity to create, to overcome, to endure, to transform, to love and to be greater than our suffering. (Ben Okri)

Transcendence by DTP, The Violent Sleep of Reason by Meshuggah and Act V by The Dear Hunter for sure, as well as Opeth's Sorceress. Haven't picked up the new Anaal Nathrakh album yet (I keep forgetting) and I assume that might end up on a possible favorites list too. Same goes for the new Venetian Snares album. Also enjoyed Neurosis's Fires within Fires quite a bit...much more so than their last one.

I had a real busy 2016 so didnt have enough time to find all the gems out there even if i have heard some of these . Gonna set up a playlist with all of them!. Ps - Fallujah - 'Dreamless' really rox Tyroshai! Ds.

Albums of the year:5. Childish Gambino - Awaken, My Love! Now here's a surprise! This album shows just how brilliant Donald Glover is when he sets his sights on music. Admittedly I was not the hugest fan of his hip hop turn, but I'm whitebread and can't judge that accordingly. However, if you know anything about my love of music, you know how endearing funk is to me and always has been. The only reason this one isn't higher is that the album runs out of steam and the song California is fucking bad.

4. David Bowie - Blackstar. Ah, to be 15 and hearing Bowie for the first time (with truly open ears) - needless to say it set the fucking tone for the year. The album is a lush complicated acceptance of death in a way that we would all wish to have the foresight to achieve. Lazarus probably might've been my song of the year if it wasn't so difficult to listen to - so long, Bowie.

3. A Tribe Called Quest - We Got It From Here... Thank You 4 Your Service. The reality is, I tried very hard to get into hip hop when I was in middle school - there's no malice when I say this, it just didn't, for the most part, connect with me emotionally or musically because I don't think I generally had the right ear for it. That said, I did always have a soft spot for Tribe. Needless to say, a powerful and damning account of our culture from those who have been examining it for a long time. I was a little weirded out by the giant backdrop during SNL of Phife, but I appreciate the sentiment where it came from, and man oh man do those words resonate further as we march into oblivion.

2. Devin Townsend Project - Transcendence. What? My favorite artist makes the first album I've really loved of his in 5 years and it comes in second? Honestly, it's probably just the fact that 1/5th of the album isn't original, as much as I appreciate the Ween cover. It's a solemn album by Devin standards, definitely with some of the old Devin Townsend Band groove back involved. I do appreciate what was a generally hopeful tone in the face of sadness, nostalgia, and anger. Some great work from all of the members of the band, but especially Dave Young who really shines on the album. Easily my favorite since Deconstruction. This album gives me hope.

1. Katatonia - The Fall of Hearts. Here it is, the beautiful portrait of bleakness that they have been trying to crack for decades. Who knew that all it took was someone who could shred? The production is perfect - and actually encapsulates the feelings of isolation, depression, and just the general hopelessness we can sometimes find ourselves in. Jonas has improved as a singer steadily over time, and the flow from track to track is quite nearly perfect. By the time I get to Passer, I'm just so thoroughly emotionally invested every time. I bought a tshirt damnit.

But I heard these guys this year and can't stop listening to this record: